Au Gres-Sims Families,
The go to spot for all things bond related is still the 2025 Bond Project page of the school website, accessible by clicking on the icon button from the home page (https://www.ags-schools.org/o/ags/page/2025-bond). Just this week we posted an FAQ in part based on the questions that we have received from the community, but also from information obtained during the certification and preparation phase.
In the months to come you can expect to see video materials, printed handouts and mailers, and social media postings regarding the bond. We want to ensure that the voters of our community have the facts and make an informed decision on August 5 and we encourage you to engage with all the materials that we produce. Furthermore, we encourage you to ask questions and take advantage of the great human resources that we have in our district as well.
From the Desk of Mr. Zeien
The AGS athletic booster club, The Wolverine Pride Association (WPA), is desperately seeking new individuals to join their crew. With the soon departures of President Bob Proulx and various board members, your help is needed more than ever. Let’s not lose this wonderful club that has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years for our scholar-athletes.
With prom coming up on April 26, here are some important facts and conversations to have with your children.
30% of high school teens report it’s likely they or their friends will be under the influence of drugs or alcohol sometime during prom or graduation season.
82% of teens believe their peers are likely to drive impaired instead of calling a parent or guardian for help because they are afraid of getting in trouble.
31% of teens know other teens who have been arrested for impaired driving.
21% of teens have ridden in a car with an impaired driver.
26% of teens have called a parent at least once to pick them up because either they or another driver was impaired.
79% of teens would support a program that offers free tows home to avoid the risk of anyone driving impaired, even when it means admitting to their parents or guardians that they’ve been drinking and/or using drugs.
Are you having a hard time fitting exercise into your schedule? Start your day out with a morning walk. Morning walks have many benefits. 1) It can help improve your mood by reducing stress and make it easier to manage your day. 2) It increases your productivity by energizing you while also improving your concentration. 3) It can physically help your posture by increasing core muscles to support your spine. 4) It can help you manage your weight by jump starting your metabolism. 5) It can help you sleep better at night. 6) It can reduce your risk for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, and some cancers. 7) It can strengthen your bones and reduce your risk for osteoporosis. 8) It can help boost stamina, flexibility, and energy. Today is a great day to start that new routine.
Mrs. Steinbauer's Weekly Update
Another short week is in the books as we head into Easter Weekend. The timing couldn’t be better—our 5th graders have wrapped up three of their four state testing areas, our juniors completed the SAT and M-STEP, and our 6th and 7th graders began their M-STEP assessments in math and ELA. These three weeks following spring break can feel long and demanding, with students in grades 3 through 11 testing across multiple subjects. This long weekend offers a much-needed pause to rest and recharge, so we can return refreshed and ready to finish the testing season strong.
We also want to encourage all parents to keep up with their students Skyward as our spring sports season is officially underway. Mother nature seems in a much more conciliatory mood allowing games and meets to take place. As spring sports kick into high gear, it's important for students to remember that academics come first. Staying on top of grades is essential—not only for personal growth and success, but also to remain eligible for participation in the activities they love. Balancing schoolwork and sports can be challenging, but strong time management and focus will help student-athletes finish the year strong both in the classroom and on the field. At times our teams have lengthy bus rides for away contests, so it is important for students to use their class time wisely and stay on top of their work. Please talk with your student and have them reach out to their teacher if you see a missing assignment.
Chronic Absenteeism
With a three day weekend, we realize that some families may want to extend their short holiday. Please be mindful that our state testing resumes on Tuesday 4/22 and each day is incredibly important for all students to be in attendance. Even if your student’s grade level is not testing, teachers are ensuring that all content is being covered before our school year ends. Also, next week we will be running two makeup sessions for students who missed any portion of our testing. It is very important for our district that all students in grades three through eleven complete each test. Please help us by getting your child to school each day. Our testing window ends on 4/25 and all tests must be completed by that time. We thank you for your help in this.
Weekly Update from the Dean's Den
Math in grades 2–5 is all about building fluency, confidence, and problem-solving. As students move beyond basic counting and into addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions, they begin to see how math is connected to everyday life.
This week, we’re encouraging families to support math learning at home by practicing in simple, meaningful ways—no worksheets required!
Build Fact Fluency with Games
Play quick-fire math games with flash cards or apps.
Practice multiplication facts in the car or while brushing teeth:
“What’s 6 × 7?” or “How many 5s are in 45?”
Play card games like “Multiplication War” or “Make 10.”
Cook and Bake Together
Use recipes to practice fractions and measurement:
“We need ¾ cup of sugar—can we use the ¼ cup three times?”
Double or halve a recipe to build math flexibility.
Practice Mental Math in Real Life
Estimate the total while shopping or count change together.
If each apple costs $0.50, how much would 4 apples cost?”
Time and Money Talks
Ask your child to read the clock, calculate elapsed time, or make change from $5.
Set a family budget for a pretend shopping trip and compare item prices.
Analyze and Compare Data
Look at charts, sports stats, or weather data.
“Which team scored the most points this week?” or “How many inches of snow did we get this month?”
Choose one real-life math moment each day—whether it’s doubling a recipe, estimating time, or practicing math facts—and talk through it with your child. A few minutes a day can make a big difference in confidence and success! Let’s keep math fun, practical, and part of everyday life—because math is everywhere! ✏️📊
AGS Health Clinic News
We hit some more construction milestones this week and next week will hit a few more. The mechanical inspection was signed off on and now we have fire, electrical, and plumbing remaining. It is looking great!
The new anticipated opening of the clinic is mid-April to early May and we will update that as we get closer. Prior to the clinic opening we will be sending home paperwork packets and will be making a number of announcements about that process. There is nothing to look for yet, just the continued progress of our clinic construction.
Pathways to Potential
Did you know that April is the National Child Abuse Awareness month. If you need to report abuse or suspected abuse, please call 855-444-3911
Any other questions you can contact me at 989-313-5387 or visit me at the school
Kirstie McCaffrey
Pathways To Potential Success Coach
Au Gres-Sims Schools
Arenac County Department of Health and Human Services
989-313-5387
Athletics Update
The weather is warming and it's time to "SWING" into Spring Sports!
SCHEDULE
Mon. 4/21
- 4p Varsity Softball HOME vs Oscoda
- 4p Varsity Baseball HOME vs Oscoda
- 4p Middle School Girls & Boys Track AWAY @ Tawas
- 5p Varsity Girls Soccer (CO-OP w/ Standish) AWAY @Gladwin
Tues. 4/22
- 4p Varsity Girls & Boys Track AWAY @ Fairview
- 5p Varsity Girls Soccer (CO-OP w/ Standish) HOME vs Shepherd
Wed. 4/23
- 4p Varsity Softball HOME vs Bay City All-Saints
- 4p JV Boys Baseball HOME vs Oscoda
Thurs. 4/24
- 4p Varsity Softball AWAY @ Alcona
- 4p Varsity Baseball AWAY @ Alcona
- 5p Varsity Girls Soccer (CO-OP w/ Standish) HOME vs Gladwin
Calling for your help!
National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9, 2025. The Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Educator Excellence wishes to celebrate teachers across Michigan for the entire month of May.
MDE invites parents to submit 15-30 second videos of their students recognizing and thanking a specific teacher for their impact. Cell phones easily capture the videos. Please follow the directions on the flyer. Videos and parental consent must be submitted via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project Google Form. Videos are currently being accepted until Friday, April 16, 2025.
Submitted videos may be posted on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage and MDE’s YouTube channel. The Office of Educator Excellence’s Facebook (@MIeducator) and X (formerly Twitter) social media pages will be promoting the videos throughout the month of May.
If your child has great things to say about a teacher, use the instructions found on MDE’s website to submit a video today!
Parent Teacher Organization
The PTO plays an important role in supporting our teachers and students with many of the extras that make AGS so great. Consider joining this wonderful group and helping to make this school year a special one.
POPCORN FRIDAYS: The PTO pops the corn on selected Fridays throughout the school year in the elementary building. Volunteers are needed to make this happen, with a report time of 8:00 a.m. Your son/daughter's teachers will be reaching out to you and different times throughout the year. Please consider volunteering!
- April 25
- May 9, 23
Important Dates
APRIL
- 18: NO SCHOOL - Good Friday
- 21: 6pm Regular School Board Meeting
- 26: 8-11pm Junior-Senior Prom
MAY
- 12: 6pm Regular School Board Meeting
- 14: 7pm Spring Band Concert
- 16: 11am - 4pm NHS - Versiti Blood Drive
- 21: 1pm Early Dismissal - Staff Professional Development
- 26: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
- 30: 7:30pm Graduation
Help Wanted at AGS
We are also always on the lookout for substitute teachers. If interested, please inquire with Mrs. Freehling in the district administration office, (989) 876-7150 and she will put you into direct contact with Laurie Crane at ESS-WillSub
